The new school year is upon us converting the latency of summer for millions of children back into the yearly grind of homework, essays, and book reports.  From year to year the material children cover can vary quite significantly: especially in Social Studies and Math.  While a child needs to use “mental floss” to get back in learning mode for reading, writing and mathematics after summer vacation, his intelligence quotient remains relatively constant throughout his life.

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There are many different views on the meaning of life. Hundreds, if not thousands, of credible schools of thought exist, and every individual has an entirely unique opinion about their ultimate purpose. 

However, are these "meanings" really the meaning of life, or are they simply methods through which to live?  Something may give life meaning, but does that make it the meaning of life?

Through the entire history of philosophy, no philosophy has truly been centered around the question, "What is the meaning of life?" Each has an answer, or at least a general idea, but none are entirely focused with absolute precision on this matter. It is only recently that the question of the meaning of life has evolved into its own field of philosophy, rather than being associated with other life matters. This new field approaches the question of the meaning of life from a purely analytical standpoint.

Why has it taken so long to come to this point? First of all, it was important to fundamentally ensure one’s survival before searching for meaning. During many, if not all, of the past centuries, the survival of one's self – if not the survival of the entire human species – has been called into question. In that situation, meaning is apparent: survive long enough to get the next generation started.

Once basic survival is assured, the next pressing question is how to best live life. This question has fueled philosophy and religion since their inception. Indeed, many supposed answers to "the meaning of life" have instead given guidance on the best ways to live life and provide individual meaning. It seems that this answer was required in order for humanity to move forward to the next part of the question. We have figured out how to survive.  We have figured out how to live.  Now, why do we live?

Even though it is likely that the next stage will not come about for centuries or even millennia, what question will we ponder next?

Another time [the Buddha] said, "Suppose a man is struck by a poisoned arrow and the doctor wishes to take out the arrow immediately. Suppose the man does not want the arrow removed until he knows who shot it, his age, his parents, and why he shot it. What would happen? If he were to wait until all these questions have been answered, the man might die first." Life is so short. It must not be spent in endless metaphysical speculation that does not bring us any closer to the truth. - Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Keys

Buddhism is an interesting religious tradition. In fact, it is not even always considered a religion, but rather a family of beliefs and practices. Buddhists trust in what are referred to as the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha which are respectively the Awakened One, the Teachings and the Community.

The Buddha is believed to have been a man named Siddhartha Gautama who shared many teachings during his lifetime sometime around the 5th century B.C. The teachings of the Buddha tend to shy away from the so-called 'Big Questions' of life. This is generally seen as demonstrative of his aversion to contemplating these issues, as they distract from the pursuit of true knowledge known as Enlightenment, a state free from worldly pleasures and suffering. Experience is emphasized over philosophical musings, although Buddha did not actively dismiss philosophy.

The quote at the beginning of this article demonstrates the Buddhist theory of why philosophical musings on the meaning of life are futile and/or distracting. It can be seen as Nihilistic, but in fact is better described as Pragmatic.

The arrow (life) should be addressed, rather than the shooter (is there meaning/God), the source (our/the Universe's origins), or why he was shot (why are we here). This is a fairly unique stance for any religious or even quasi-religious tradition, as it leaves out the usual purpose of humanity: serving a higher power. However, the Buddhist teachings are extremely interesting and can give insight to not only the meaning of life, but also to our life as it is.

Know Thyself. ~ Plato 

No discussion of the meaning of life is complete without a discussion of perhaps the most influential of all Western philosophers: Plato. Student of Socrates, teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy, he has influenced countless generations of free thinkers and under-the-influence philosophy students.  His most famous quote, "Know Thyself," is not only a favorite of coffee shop artwork, but an extremely simple summary of his philosophical thoughts on the meaning of life.

The foundation of Plato's philosophy is based on his Theory of Forms, an intense theory that nevertheless resonates. Forms, in essence, are unchangeable, untouchable types, or more clearly, Ideas. These ideas were not able to be sensed in the physical world. Rather, they are essences, typically described as aspatial and atemporal, that is, outside of space and time. They simply exist. Plato postulated that the forms existed in another part of the universe that is more pure than the space which we inhabit.

In Plato's teaching, there exist ideal Forms which we cannot know, but for which we should nevertheless strive. The ultimate Form, which also informs all the other Forms, is the Form of the Good. In essence, the purpose of human beings is to pursue the Good with the only means available to us: intelligence and reason. The Form of the Good is also recognized as the highest form of knowledge. You must use your rational thought to pursue knowledge, through which search you will pursue the Good, which is what drives all that is good and valued in life.

This may be confusing, but it simplifies to the fact that Plato believed each person must perform their own search for the Good, i.e. the meaning of life. Knowledge and rational thought were the keys, as a good student of the Socratic Method should know. There is little certainty in the philosophy of Plato, which makes it excellent reading for any student of the meaning of life.

The standardized tests are fast approaching for many schools throughout the nation.  These tests vary by state and district and include tests like the ITBS, TerraNova, CAT/6, STAR Testing, Texas TAKS, PSSA, SOL, and many others.

FunEducation is the parent company to Bright Education which is a website dedicated to standardized practice tests.  Now is the perfect time to sign up for a standardized practice test such as our test prep for the ITBS.  Please visit our Bright Education website for more information.